Qualities of an Innovator

Challenges status quo: Dissatisfied with current reality. Questions authority and routine. Confronts assumptions. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Curious: Actively explores their environment. Investigates new possibilities. Honors their sense of awe and wonder. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Self-motivated: Responds to deep inner needs. Proactively initiates new projects. Intrinsically rewarded for efforts. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Visionary: Highly imaginative. Maintains a future orientation. Thinks in mental pictures. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Entertains the fantastic: Conjures outrageous scenarios. Sees possibilities within the seemingly impossible. Honors dreams and daydreams. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

From Mitch Ditkoff, http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Takes risks: Goes beyond their comfort zone. Experimental and non- conforming. Courageously willing to "fail" (but learns from feedback). Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Peripatetic: Changes work environments as needed. Wanders, walks or travels to inspire fresh thinking. Given to movement and interaction. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Playful & humorous: Appreciates incongruities and surprise. Able to appear foolish and child-like. Laughs easily and often. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Self-accepting: Withholds compulsive criticism of their own ideas. Understands "perfection is the enemy of the good." Unattached to looking good in the eyes of others. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Makes new connections: Sees relationships between seemingly disconnected elements. Synthesizes new combinations. Distills odd ideas down to their underlying principles. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Reflective: Incubates on problems and challenges. Seeks out states of immersion. Ponders, muses and contemplates. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Recognizes Patterns: Perceptive and discriminating. Notices organizing principles & trends. Sees (and challenges) the Big Picture. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Tolerates ambiguity: Comfortable with chaos. Able to entertain paradox. Doesn't settle for the first "right idea." Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Committed to learning: Continually seeks knowledge. Synthesizes new input quickly. Balances info gathering and action. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Balances intuition and analysis: Alternates between divergent and convergent thinking. Entertains hunches before analyzing them. Trusts their gut, uses their head. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

From Mitch Ditkoff, http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Situationally collaborative: Balances rugged individualism with political savvy. Open to coaching and input. Rallies support as needed. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Formally articulate: Communicates ideas effectively. Translates abstract concepts into meaningful language. Creates prototypes with ease. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Resilient: Bounces back from disappointment. Learns quickly from feedback. Willing to "try, try again." Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Persevering: Hardworking and persistent. Champions new ideas with tenacity. Committed to follow-through and bottom-line results. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com

Qualities of an Innovator

Flexible/adaptive: Open to serendipity and change. Able to adjust game plan as needed. Entertains multiple ideas & solutions. Mitch Ditkoff, 2004 http://ideachampions.com